It’s an underground theatre project that began on March 2005, during the second term (2001–2006) of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, with the aim to break through stereotypes of the Belarusian population that are imposed by the system of Belarusian dictatorial regime.
Under the current political system the Free Theatre has no official registration, no premises, nor any other facilities. Rehearsals and performances (always free of charge for the public) are normally held secretly in small private apartments, which, due to security and the risk of persecution, must constantly be changed. Staffs members have been repeatedly harassed by the authorities for their participation in the Free Theatre activities and the stage director together with other people were sacked from their jobs at state-run theatres. On 22 August 2007, during a Free Theatre performance in a private apartment in Minsk, Special Forces from the Belarusian police stormed the performance and actors, directors and audience members were arrested. In the face of such repression, famous playwrights have supported the Free Theatre, not only bringing glamour to the company, but also affording protection against even more drastic repressive measures from the Belarusian authorities.